Storm Batters Istanbul, Stronger Winds Forecast

4/18/2012 7:52 AM ET

Strong winds lashed the Turkish city of Istanbul on Wednesday, blowing off roofs of several houses, uprooting trees and even shaking the Bosporus bridge as meteorologists warned of the possibility of even stronger winds.

The Bosporus bridge was closed to traffic following the storm. The roof of Istanbul's historic Grand Bazaar was also damaged, while two people were injured when the scaffolding at a construction in the city's Nisantasi area collapsed. Most parts of the European side of the metropolis were enveloped in a blanket of dust.

Toppled trees in Yenibosna neighborhood blocked traffic on the E-5 Highway and ferry services across the Bosporus remained suspended. Strong winds and torrential rains also wreaked havoc across western parts of the country. Traffic was disrupted along the Ankara-Konya Highway, which was hit by a dust storm, Turkish media reported.

The State Meteorological Bureau has warned that winds with speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour are expected.